Chapter One-hundred Eighty-Five: Heat Rising

Chapter 185

Heat Rising

When morning came, Tristan stepped out of his bathroom with just a towel around his waist. He dropped his towel, grabbed a clean pair of briefs, and slid those on. He stood in front of his mirror, brushed his hair, and used a hair elastic to tie it into a loose ponytail. He opened his closet, grabbed a white pressed shirt, and buttoned it. He slid his legs into his black pants, pulling them over his hips, and sliding his belt through the loops. He fastened his pants and buckled his belt. He popped his collar, draped his blue paisley tie around his neck, and tied it.

He sat on his bed and pulled on his sheer socks. He then grabbed his black double-breasted suit jacket with gold buttons, shrugged into it, and buttoned it. He spritzed on some of his cologne, picked up his briefcase, and went out of his bedroom.

As he descended the stairs, he entered the kitchen where his brother, Bastien, was cooking breakfast. Bastien wore a white, pressed shirt, an olive-green sweater vest, dark green pants, and black socks.

Bastien: “Good morning, Tristan.”

He dished him up bacon, scrambled eggs, sausages, and toast with a cup of vanilla orchid black tea.

Tristan: “Morning, Bastien.”

He said pleasantly.

Bastien: “Papa convinced our grandmother to get me a car so I can get around to get groceries. It’s a 1987 Ford Escort painted green.”

He smiled. Tristan sipped his tea.

Bastien: “I will miss my Peugeot 205…”

He sighed. Tristan vaguely recalled Celeste destroying a car at Narcisse’s mansion with a headstone.

Tristan: “Well, Bastien, you have to look forward, not behind.”

He said genially.

Bastien: “I suppose you’re right.”

~

After Tristan ate, he went to the mudroom, slid his feet into his black wingtip Oxfords, and tied his shoes. He then wrapped his dark blue scarf around his neck and put his peacoat over it, buttoning it. Bastien smiled as he saw his brother in his outfit.

Tristan: “Yes?”

Bastien: “Tristan, you’re impervious to cold. Why do you need to wear all that?”

He asked.

Tristan: “I like to look good.”

He nodded. Bastien chuckled.

Bastien: “Yes, Uncle Narcisse and mother always have to look good, and you and they can pull it off.”

Tristan’s smile faded. Bastien cupped his mouth.

Bastien: “I’m sorry, Tristan…”

He said softly.

Tristan: “No, Bastien, continue, by all means! You know how I feel, and you keep doing this to me! I don’t even know why I bother! Perhaps if I were focused on a stupid little car instead of being free, I would understand your one-track mindset.”

He spat and climbed into his car. He slid the key into the ignition and looked behind him as he backed out of the driveway.

Bastien watched him go and removed his glasses to cry. Victor wrapped his arms around his son. He wore an orange plaid robe over his orange pajamas.

Victor: “It’s okay, son… He does this to me, too.”

He laughed bitterly.

Bastien: “Yes, so did Uncle Narcisse when I messed up.”

Victor heaved a deep sigh.

Victor: “Bastien, could you not bring up Narcisse or Charlotte anymore to me?”

He asked as he brushed his hair back.

Bastien: “Okay, but why, Father?”

Victor’s bottom lip trembled.

Victor: “Too painful.”

~

Icy anger churned within Tristan as he drove through the streets of Pink Top City, listening to the meteorologist say temperatures would drop into the fifties. The cold never bothered him, but being compared to Narcisse and that thing did. He pulled over in front of his office, kept the engine running, and got out.

He hurried into his office and approached Rosemary’s desk.

Tristan: “Morning, Rosemary. Do you have Abigail Choi’s checks printed and ready?”

Rosemary handed them to Tristan with a smile.

Rosemary: “Here you are, Tristan.”

Tristan thanked her and took the checks.

Rosemary: “Is everything okay, Tristan?”

She asked him with concern. Tristan forced a smile.

Tristan: “Don’t fret, Rosemary. I’ll be okay. Thanks.”

He waved at her and left the office to head back to his car.

~

Tristan had to take a detour from Orchard Street because of a massive crater in the road, which made him angrier. He used his signal and turned into Abigail’s driveway. He took a deep breath, turned off his engine, and set the emergency brake before getting out of the car. He walked up to the house, climbed the steps, and knocked on the door. The door creaked open as Juniper peeped her head out.

Juniper: “Ohh, hello, Tristan! Come to get your feet tickled again?”

She teased and laughed, winking. Tristan chuckled.

Tristan: “Not quite! I’m here to deliver Abigail’s check to her! It’s a remainder of the mortgage she took out on this house.”

He smiled. Juniper blinked.

Juniper: “She took a monster out on this house?!”

She gasped.

Tristan: “Not really… Not yet.”

He laughed.

Tristan: “May I come in?”

He asked. Juniper stepped aside, spreading her arm out, gesturing for him to enter.

Juniper: “Yes, please, be our guest!”

She exclaimed.

Juniper: “Which tickling tool would you like?”

She pulled out a tray of various tools, ranging from a feather to a wartenberg wheel to a feather duster, as if she were offering him a tray of cookies. Tristan chuckled, unsnapped his peacoat, and untied his scarf.

Tristan: “This place is a bit cold. Is the heating not working?”

He asked her as he hung his coat and scarf up on the coat hanger. Abigail interjected, clearing her throat.

Abigail: “Juniper! What did I tell you about doing that?”

She batted her hand at her to ward her away.

Juniper: “Only beautiful women.”

She sighed.

Abigail: “That’s right!”

She smiled tightly.

Abigail: “Oh, the cold never bothered me!”

She chortled.

Tristan cleared his throat as he popped open the lid to his briefcase and handed her the check.

Tristan: “No, but I reckon it will bother the others. Perhaps you could invest in a furnace.”

He suggested.

Tristan: “Here’s the remainder from the mortgage, Madame.”

He said genially. Abigail took the check.

Abigail: “Why, thank you!”

Juniper: “Ooh, maybe we can invest in more chimneys to keep the house warm for beautiful ladies?”

She suggested to Abigail.

Abigail: “...More chimneys?”

She laughed.

Tristan: “I believe getting a new furnace would be the cheaper and more logical option. Besides, I reckon beautiful ladies will be likelier to wear fewer clothing articles in a warm living space.”

He said wryly. Abigail’s eyes lit up.

Juniper: “Ooh, and take off their shoes more, too!”

Abigail’s eyes glowed brighter.

Abigail: “Alright, you have won me over! I shall buy your furnace!”

She nodded to Tristan.

Tristan: “Splendid! Is there anything else you’d like me to do before I go?”

He asked her.

Abigail: “That will be all, thank you!”

She clapped her hands.

Juniper: “Oh, well, since you asked! Would you please take off your shoes?”

She smiled dumbly at Tristan. Abigail gaped at her.

Tristan: “Oh, so you’re gung-ho to tickle my feet, are you?”

He winked.

Juniper: “Yep, I sure am!”

She beamed.

Someone kicked the door open. Celeste stood there. She wore a Floatsam and Jetsam tank top, a leather skirt, black nylons, black thigh-high boots, a black leather jacket, and a leather cap. She had all of their groceries in one hand.

Celeste: “Delivery is here!”

She called out. A big smirk crept on Abigail’s lips.

Abigail: “Ohohoh, she’s here!”

She exclaimed, scurrying over to Celeste, marvelling at her beauty.

Celeste: “Oh, uh, Larry was supposed to deliver your groceries, but he told the men with the detour road signs to fuck off and drove into the ditch in the road. I delivered them for you instead.”

She held up the groceries in one hand. Abigail chortled.

Abigail: “Larry? That name sounds familiar…”

She pondered.

Tristan: “Hello, Celeste, that was kind of you.”

Celeste: “This place is fuckin’ cold. Someone needs to turn on the heat.”

She groused as she marched down the hall to go to the kitchen.

Abigail: “Well, my heat is already turned on…”

She purred under her breath, gazing at Celeste. Celeste gaped at her as she walked to the kitchen.

Celeste: “Uh, okay, that’s good. It’s cold for everyone else, though, except Tristan.”

She drawled. Juniper smiled at Tristan.

Juniper: “Oh, are you cold, Tristan? I know how to warm you up!”

She exclaimed, holding up a feather duster.

She entered an exceptionally opulent and dramatic kitchen designed in a style that powerfully evoked Gothic Revival aesthetics. The kitchen was dominated by a rich, dark color palette, featuring black woods, dark stone countertops, and walls painted in muted, somber tones. This creates a luxurious and dramatic atmosphere. Celeste’s heels clacked against the dark hardwood flooring.

The kitchen featured a tall, vaulted ceiling with dark wooden beams, giving it a cathedral-like atmosphere. A large, arched window dominated the back wall, with sections of stained glass in the upper, rounded part.

Hanging above was a sizable, ornate wrought-iron chandelier with multiple lights. The central kitchen island was large, with a highly polished, dark granite countertop and sturdy, turned wooden legs. Several dark leather-upholstered stools with tufted details surrounded it.

The cabinetry was custom-made, floor-to-ceiling, in dark, imposing wood. Above the stove, there was a grand, highly decorated vent hood with intricate metalwork.

Celeste plonked the groceries on the countertop and dusted her hands. Abigail’s eyebrows rose.

Abigail: “Oh, my, so strong!”

She hummed, pulling out her fan and fanning her face excitedly as she admired Celeste.

Celeste: “It’s nothing really. Lifting a tree or a car is harder.”

She stated. Abigail chortled, thinking she was joking.

Abigail: “Oh, you’re very funny!”

Celeste scratched her head.

Celeste: “Uh, thanks. Anyway, I think this is all I got from Larry’s truck.”

She drawled. Tristan entered the kitchen.

Abigail: “Larry… this wouldn’t happen to be that goth wannabe in the raincoat, would it?”

She pondered.

Celeste: “Yup, that’s him.”

Tristan: “Are you going to be heading out, Celeste? I can give you a ride to wherever you like.”

He offered. Celeste gaped at him, and her eyes sparkled.

They heard another knock on the door.

Tristan: “Seems like you have another guest.”

He smiled.

Juniper: “Ooh, we’re very popular today!”

She smiled and skipped over to the door.

Abigail: “Please be another beautiful woman like her…”

She sighed, gazing at Celeste. Celeste blinked at Abigai and gaped owlishly at her.

Juniper opened the door to reveal Jaxon. He wore a black button-down shirt with shiny red dragons on each side, tight black leather pants, Chelsea boots, and a black leather jacket. Ray Ban sunglasses obscured his eyes.

Jaxon: “Yo, I’m Jaxon.”

He smiled as he lowered his shades.

Juniper: “Oooh, hello! I’m Juniper!”

She smiled and waved at him. Abigail sighed with disappointment at seeing another man.

Abigail: “How disappointing.”

She mumbled under her breath. Jaxon laughed awkwardly.

Jaxon: “What is disappointing?”

He asked her and paused when he saw Celeste there.

Jaxon: “Hey, Celeste, what are you doing here?”

Celeste: “Larry drove into the ditch because he told the construction men to fuck off, and I delivered their groceries for them.”

She replied.

Tristan: “I’m going to head out. Did you want to come with me or go with him?”

He asked her.

Celeste: “With you! I don’t want to be around him! He doesn’t want to find out shit about Borko!”

She hissed. Jaxon looked away with hurt.

Abigail: “Or you could stay here with me!”

She pulled out a black raven feather with a smirk. Celeste clung to Tristan and hissed at her like a cat.

Tristan: “The lady spoke.”

He laughed and headed out with Celeste. He put his scarf around his neck, and Celeste helped him with his peacoat. He grabbed his briefcase and went out with Celeste to his car.

Juniper: “Uh-oh, the green cat lady doesn’t like you!”

She patted Abigail’s head. Abigail glared at her.

Abigail: “Don’t be ridiculous, Juniper! Of course, she likes me!”

She huffed. Jaxon rubbed the back of his head.

Jaxon: “She’s mad at me.”

He said glumly.

“Who’s mad at you?” A voice called from the top of the stairs. Madelyn sauntered down the stairs dressed in a purple lace fairy butterfly costume with a flower crown on her head.

Abigail: “Where have you been? Where were you last night?”

She tapped her foot.

Madelyn: “I was out ‘n about with Jordi!”

She beamed, sliding down the stair rail to greet them all. Jaxon waved at her.

Jaxon: “Yo, I’m Jaxon.”

He smiled. Madelyn smiled and waved at him.

Madelyn: “Hello! I’m Madelyn!”

Jaxon: “Yeah, there’s a crater by his house. I had to take a detour when driving here.”

He laughed a bit.

Madelyn: “A crater? What kind of crater?!”

She gasped, cupping her cheeks. Jaxon raised his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “A big hole in the road. I didn’t ask what caused it, but I had to take a detour, so this is why I am a bit late.”

He replied, trying to make light of his somber mood.

Madelyn: “Oh, it was probably caused by Makayla’s fat ass!”

She waved her hand and laughed. Jaxon cracked a smile and laughed with her.

Jaxon: “A likely scenario!”

He cleared his throat.

Jaxon: “Anyway, Sole Desire sent me here because Daisy wants me to do some shoots here. I’m a model for them.”

He smiled a bit.

Madelyn: “Oooh! I heard of this place and I’m very interested in doing some photos, too!”

She beamed.

Jaxon: “Rock on, you can talk to Daisy, and she will recruit you.”

Juniper: “Oh, you mean sole as in feet and not the sun, right? I hope I got it right this time!”

She twirled her finger around her hair.

Jaxon: “Yup! That’s right!”

He chirped.

Juniper: “Oh, these people want to take pictures of our feet? I’m in!”

She smiled.

Jaxon: “You would have to ask Daisy! I’m only a model there. I’m not the owner.”

He laughed.

Madelyn: “Okay, I will ask her and also ask Jordi if he wants to do this, too!”

She beamed.

Jaxon: “Oh, Jordi already works for a weirdo, crazy lady, so I don’t think he would. He’s not that type.”

He laughed and waved his hand.

Madelyn: “Oh? There’s another weirdo, crazy lady in his life? Who’s this lady?”

She asked. Jaxon looked away with discomfort.

Jaxon: “Uh, his boss.”

He muttered.

Madelyn: “Oh, is she worse than Gina?”

She asked. Jaxon embraced himself and shuddered.

Jaxon: “Yeah, I think so.”

He cleared his throat.

Jaxon: “Anyway, he’s at work now. I didn’t see his car when I came here.”

He added.

Madelyn: “Oh, okay! I won’t disturb him when he’s busy!”

She stated. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Gonna have to do something about the heating. It’s fucking cold.”

He laughed and embraced himself.

Jaxon: “Anyway, I’m gonna split. I’ll let Daisy know you’re interested in working for her.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “Ooh, thank you!”

She beamed and clasped her hands together.

Madelyn: “Nice meeting you! Hopefully, we will have heat all over the house next time!”

She exclaimed. Jaxon put his shades back on and waved.

Jaxon: “Of course! See you around.”

He nodded and headed out the door, back to his car.

When he left, Madelyn turned to the others.

Madelyn: “He seemed really bummed out…”

She observed.

Juniper: “Aww, he just needs a good tickle!”

Madelyn: “So does Jordi…”

Her voice trailed off.

~

Jordi stepped out into the food court in the Megalos Tower. He wore his black suit work uniform and black zip-up boots. He groaned when he saw the large Varg the Viking cardboard cut-out at Voyage Burger, holding a large pizza. The sign read, “Ravage your hunger with Varg the Viking’s 24-slice Viking Pizza!”

He saw Makayla dressed as a hog farmer with Brad seated by her, wearing pig ears. There were about twenty boxes of the Viking pizza in front of them, and Makayla shoved each slice into Brad’s mouth.

Ichiro strolled past Jordi. He wore a dark red pressed shirt, black tie, black pants, black cap-toe Oxfords, and a white lab coat. Jordi grabbed Ichiro’s arm. Ichiro stopped and turned to sneer at Jordi.

Ichiro: “What do you want, Jordi? I don’t have time to deal with your nonsense.”

He tried to yank his arm away, but Jordi tightened his grip.

Jordi: “We need to talk.”

He said firmly.

Ichiro: “About what?! You and your pretty boy lawyer boyfriend spying on me?”

He huffed.

Jordi: “Cut the crap, Ichiro. We’re going to talk NOW.”

He hissed and dragged him into a room down the hall from the food court.

Jordi took Ichiro into a room where several TVs were on the wall. In the center of the room was a long, hardwood oval table with office chairs surrounding it. Jordi shoved Ichiro, and Ichiro straightened his lab coat and harrumphed.

Ichiro: “What is your problem?!”

Jordi: “You!”

He snapped.

Jordi: “YOU sent that dippy ‘private’ detective to spy on me last night!”

He shook his forefinger at him. Ichiro gaped at him.

Ichiro: “No, Jordi, I never sent her to spy on you. If you listened to my conversation with her instead of drooling over Tristan, I asked her about Fabien, not you!”

He fired back. Jordi’s right eye twitched.

Jordi: “I wasn’t drooling over Tristan! I was honing in on you as much as he was!”

He barked. Ichiro rolled his eyes.

Ichiro: “Still and all, I must extend my thanks to Tristan’s redneck ex-boyfriend for getting egg on your faces.”

He laughed. Jordi glowered at him as his ire soared.

Jordi: “Do you expect me to believe you didn’t send that idiot to spy on me?! I caught her! I have her camera in my possession, and it has pictures of me!”

He growled as he stepped toward Ichiro. Ichiro remained unfazed.

Ichiro: “Look, Jordi, I didn’t send her to spy on you. I have nothing against you… not yet anyway.”

He held up his forefinger with a grin.

Ichiro: “If you don’t want to get on my bad side, drop this and let me resume my journey to destroy Fabien!”

He growled.

Jordi: “...Is that a threat, Ichiro?”

He asked sharply. Ichiro smirked at him.

Ichiro: “It can be. Did Jiro ever talk to you about Seashell Cove?”

He laughed. Jordi froze and glared at him.

Jordi: “No, but Celeste and Tristan have told me.”

Ichiro’s smile faded.

Ichiro: “Celeste is NOT into you, and never will be.”

Jordi glared hatefully at him.

Ichiro: “Nevertheless, my point is you know what became of that girl, Chelsea, and the same will probably happen to your grandfather, whom you dote on.”

He chuckled. Jordi saw red. Electricity coursed through him, and the high voltage he delivered caused every screen in the room to explode.

Jordi marched up to him as electricity coursed through him. Ichiro gasped and started to run. A bolt of lightning struck before him, causing him to jump four feet in the air.

Jordi: “You’re not running away anymore…”

He rasped. Ichiro turned to him with a glare. The door swung open, and Ilias stood there. He raised a high-frequency sound device. Ichiro’s eyes widened, and he dashed out of the room. Ilias blared the sound that rang in Jordi’s ears and stunned him. Jordi cupped his ears and gnashed his teeth in pain.

Ilias stopped the device and glared down at Jordi.

Ilias: “Mind telling me what that was about?!”

He bellowed. Jordi panted and looked up at Ilias, who glowered at him.

Jordi: “He threatened my grandfather!”

He snapped. Ilias grabbed Jordi by his tie, lifted him, and slammed him against the wall. Jordi gnashed his teeth and breathed furiously.

Ilias: “And that is a good enough reason to destroy my property?!”

He screamed in his face.

Ilias: “It’s bad enough that those animals of Stefano’s are damaging everything!”

Minerva stepped in and quirked an eyebrow.

Minerva: “What happened?”

Ilias threw Jordi in front of Minerva.

Ilias: “This happened! He caused all this damage!”

He stomped his foot.

Ilias: “This is coming out of the Etheressum Research Division!”

He snapped. Minerva clicked her tongue and scowled at Jordi.

Minerva: “Oh, he will be dealt with accordingly, Mr. Megalos.”

She said coolly. Ilias straightened his suit jacket.

Ilias: “I expect nothing less.”

He said abruptly and stormed past them. Jordi knit his eyebrows and bowed his head in defeat.

~

Jordi was tied to a chair, wearing a power-suppressing collar. A soldier unzipped Jordi’s boots, slipped those off, and slipped off his sheer socks. He fanned his toes out and whimpered. Minerva smirked and scribbled her fingernails over Jordi’s soles.

Minerva: “You’ve been a naughty boy, Jordi…”

She purred. Jordi threw his head back and howled with laughter.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHA!!!”

He laughed hard and moved his feet. She vigorously tickled his soles.

Jordi: “OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHA!!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO MOHOHOHORE!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!”

He threw his head back and laughed as tears streaked down his cheeks. Minerva then scrubbed a face scrubber all over his feet, and Jordi screamed with hysterical, furious bouts of laughter.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! AIYEEEEEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!! WAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!”

He howled with laughter and gasped for air in between laughing.

Jordi: “PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEASE STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He laughed hard and whipped his hair from side to side. He wheezed and breathed ragged breaths between laughter.

~

Jordi stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him. He sat down, put on his sheer socks and boots, and stood up to put on his suit jacket. He brushed his sleeve and looked at the time. Finally, I can clock out of this hellhole, he thought as he marched down the hall.

~

Tristan was at home on his backyard patio. He had his suit jacket off, rolled his sleeves up on his pressed shirt, and taken off his shoes. He had his feet resting on the table as he smoked and read. Jordi stepped out. He wore a purple plaid button-down shirt, jeans, black zip-up boots, and a bomber jacket. Tristan smiled when he saw him.

Tristan: “Evening, Jordi. It’s nice to see you.”

He said genially. Jordi sat by him.

Jordi: “Likewise. I had an incident at work and last night.”

Tristan set his book down and sat up. Jordi bowed his head and handed Tristan a large camera.

Jordi: “Look through it.”

Tristan did as Jordi instructed him. He pressed the power button and used the controls to browse through the photos, seeing several pictures of Jordi and Madelyn on a date.

Tristan: “So you took your new neighbor out on a date, hm? I guess your crush on me fizzled out?”

He teased. Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “You made it clear you weren’t interested in pursuing a relationship with me.”

He said with a trace of hurt in his tone. Tristan bowed his head.

Tristan: “I apologize, Jordi. It’s not a slight against you.”

He sighed and crushed his cigarette in his ashtray.

Tristan: “I don’t want to be in any relationship right now.”

Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “I’m sorry. I understand.”

Tristan: “Look, don’t fret. I want you to be happy, Jordi.”

He said earnestly. Jordi smiled a bit.

Tristan: “So what is the significance of these? Did someone spy on you, or did you request these pictures be taken? They seem too candid to be planned.”

He said evenly.

Jordi: “Yes, that dippy ‘private’ detective Ichiro took out was spying on me. I caught her driving by my house. I stopped her and seized her camera.”

He began and laughed.

Jordi: “The crater was my doing. Sorry about that.”

Tristan smiled.

Tristan: “So, the not-so-great detective took these.”

Jordi: “I confronted Ichiro at work and… I was punished because I let my emotions get the best of me and destroyed work property.”

He said through clenched teeth. Tristan nodded and patted his back.

Tristan: “No judgment on my end. I understand when one’s powers get the best of them. I almost destroyed my own home.”

He replied, recalling the house fire. Not the first time, he thought.

He cleared his throat and examined the camera.

Tristan: “Wait, why would Ichiro want to take these photos of you and Madelyn? Wasn’t he pursuing Pamela to gather intel on Fabien?”

He asked. Jordi folded his arms over his chest.

Jordi: “Yes, he reiterated that when I confronted him.”

Tristan cupped his jaw.

Tristan: “...So why on Reona would Ichiro want Pamela to spy on you?”

He asked him.

Jordi: “He denied it, but he caught you and me spying on him.”

Tristan flicked through the photos once more.

Tristan: “But there are no photos of me on this roll.”

Jordi cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “Are you sure Ichiro sent Pamela? Jordi, I don’t believe Ichiro is the one behind this.”

He said gravely.

Jordi heaved a deep sigh and buried his face in his hands.

Jordi: “I should have thought this through more.”

He groaned. Tristan patted his back.

Jordi: “I don’t know, I thought he was going to target Madelyn the way he did Chelsea because that idiot, Deimos, blew our cover.”

He said bitterly. Tristan paused and looked away.

Tristan: “Nevertheless, I understand your actions… You were trying to protect Madelyn from a possible attack.”

He nodded. Jordi paused and looked away.

Jordi: “I never thought of it that way.”

He said under his breath.

Tristan: “...What about Gina?”

He asked him.

Jordi: “Oh, she dumped me.”

He scoffed.

Tristan: “Is she aware of you and Madelyn?”

Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “Yeah, this is why she dumped me.”

He replied. Tristan looked through the photos once more.

Tristan: “You don’t suppose Gina hired Pamela, do you?”

He asked him. Jordi scoffed and waved his hand.

Jordi: “Fuck no! That ditz’s dreams are dancing for cruises! She doesn’t have the brain capacity to hire a PI.”

He laughed.

Tristan: “No, but her father definitely would.”

He hummed. Jordi paused.

Jordi: “Why would he? Gina dumped me; I didn’t dump her.”

Tristan wagged his head.

Tristan: “No, but the intention was still there. You emotionally checked out when we returned home from Los Campos. You may not have ended it in words, but your heart certainly did.”

He explained. Jordi buried his face in his hands.

Jordi: “I think I made things worse by going after Ichiro. He threatened my grandfather and…”

Tristan patted his back.

Tristan: “Jordi, don’t fret, please. Ichiro is going to come after us anyway, so you made nothing worse than it already is, and your heart is definitely in the right place.”

He reassured him.

Jordi: “You think so?”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “Of course.”

~

Deimos sat at his kitchen island that night, gazing at a picture of him and Tristan. He wore a gray tank top and red plaid pajama bottoms.

Deimos: “Why did I do that to you, Tristan? Why would anyone want a dickhead like me? Only someone as angelic as you would love someone like me, and I threw it away.”

He removed his glasses and placed his hand over his eyes. He then had flashes of being in Narcisse’s basement and seeing that burnt body in the hyperbaric chamber. Why did Narcisse get testy with me about who that was if he was so willing to help me? Deimos wondered. Every time he helps me, I end up making things worse for Tristan, he pondered. It’s almost as if he’s trying to elicit anger from Tristan, but why? He mused.